Latest newsletter from Inez Baranay at Local Time Publishing
Writing retreat
I write this on the last day of a month-long stay (July 2017) at the International Writers and Translators House in Ventspils. Latvia. It’s a perfect writing retreat and great to be back (I spent July 2009 here, working on the memoir). I’m appreciating the cool weather (yes, it’s summer here but an unusually cold one) and the quiet charms of this calm, spacious, green, restrained little city. I love cycling through the forest or walking on the endless, stony beach (even took a [quick] dip in the icy Baltic sea). Most of my fellow residents are translators this time and seem as immersed in their own work, while occasional meals together affirm the comradeship of literature-centred lives. They’re from Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Belarus, Turkey. I've spent most of my time in my little room and I love this view from my window, around the clock: moonrise, deserted night, livelier sunny afternoons.
I almost completed the draft of the new novel. Three of 33 sections have yet to be written. It’s called Turn Left At Venus.
Patreon
Have you heard of Patreon? It’s a platform where people can become patrons for creators; where creators can have patrons who can pledge from as little as $1 a month to no limit. Spirit of the times. I have just set up a page, do have a look at my Patreon page here and please consider becoming a patron. I will provide patron-only content, and welcome suggestions for rewards and exclusive content.
Thanks to friends who encouraged this.
“sine loco”
A librarian needing to enter my books in their catalogue wrote to ask me where Local Time Publishing is located. Advised by a friend, I replied: Local Time Publishing is called that because it operates according to the local time of wherever I happen to be. Like many people these days, I do not live in one geographical place. Therefore, Local Time Publishing is not tied to a particular place but to people in cyberspace.
The librarian replied that in that case the books will be recorded as published “[s.l.]” — sine loco. Without location. Something about that pleases me. I like the thought of books published s.l.
September plans start with India
In early September I will fly to Bangalore, where I will spend about 10 days as scholar-in-residence at Christ University. Then ... I will connect with several dear friends at this time; I am looking forward to being back in southern India so much — I expect to be eating idli all day long.
More news next time. Changes ahead.
essay published since last newsletter
“Belonging on the Borders” Coolabah, No. 21, 2017, ISSN 1988-5946, Australian Studies Centre, University of Barcelona . Read it here
featured books in this newsletter
The Edge of Bali -- I'm including this one even while this is not published by Local Time, but by Transit Lounge Publishing . It’s a new (2012) edition of my 1992 novel The Edge of Bali, with additional writings gathered in this volume — memoir and essays about Bali. I’m returning to an imaginary Bali in my current work.
Rascal Rain: a year in Papua New Guinea -- I had decided to choose this as the 2nd book for the Newsletter when I received a mail from an Australian who’s been working in PNG for a couple of years and wrote to tell me that similar events are still taking place. It’s astonishing to think my time there was now 25 years ago. I think it was the most life-changing time of my life since my parents brought me as a baby to Australia.
From the reviews:
This is a book of full of contemporary dilemmas, clearly and keenly expressed by Baranay’s characters. … The book is really about the phenomenon of tourism. … The questions raised by the book are fascinating and often unanswerable.
Baranay writes evocatively of the Bali landscape, raising serious questions within vivid description. New myths jostle with the old
The Edge of Bali page on my website
Buy The Edge of Bali from the publisher
From reviews:
Baranay sees with a novelist’s perceptions. Her strengths are descriptions of people, places and events; her eye and her nose for the beautiful and disgusting, her ear for speech and her ability to set scenes, draw characters and have them come powerfully and unforgettably to life. …
There is much joy in this fast-moving book. … Rascal Rain… is eminently readable and of particular interest to those interested in womens’ movements, New Guinea, native culture and travel. A good read.
The Rascal Rain page on my website
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Latest
Latest updates on my publishing, speaking and writing activities will be posted at the occasionally updated Newsblog at my website.
Buying my books
Deals for days
I offer any book of mine published by Local Time Publishing to anyone who asks me directly, for $US10 plus shipping, and if you need to pay less just let me know. All my books will be available as ebooks if they aren’t already.
Please consider being a reviewer
Reader reviews on sites like Amazon and Goodreads, and you might know others, and reviews and comments on book and publishing blogs, are arguably more important for reaching readers than a review in a heritage journal/newsletter. (Those that remain.)
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